President Bola Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to return to court and vacate the order freezing the bank accounts of the Osun State Government.
The directive was issued ahead of the forthcoming Osun State governorship election, with the President stating that the move was necessary to safeguard public confidence in the country’s democratic process.
In a statement released by the State House on Thursday, Tinubu clarified that while he respected the EFCC’s constitutional mandate to investigate financial crimes, he was concerned about the timing of the agency’s action.
According to the President, although the EFCC acted under a valid court order obtained on August 5, 2026, freezing the state’s accounts just days before the election could create the impression that federal institutions were being used to influence the electoral process.
The EFCC had secured the court order as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged financial infractions involving the Osun State Government. The anti-graft agency had maintained that its actions were lawful and within its statutory powers, noting that it could temporarily restrict accounts suspected to be linked to financial crimes before obtaining judicial approval for extended restrictions.
Tinubu stated that actions taken by federal institutions are often attributed to the Presidency, regardless of whether he had prior knowledge of them. He reiterated that since assuming office, he had consistently allowed anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies to carry out their duties independently and without political interference.
The President explained that he had deliberately refrained from directing the operational activities of the EFCC and other investigative agencies because of his commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and upholding the rule of law.
However, he noted that despite not being fully briefed on the facts surrounding the EFCC’s decision, the timing of the account freeze warranted his intervention because of the proximity of the governorship election.
Tinubu stressed that no action should be taken that could undermine public confidence in the credibility, fairness, and integrity of the electoral process. He said his intervention was made in the overriding public interest and to preserve trust in Nigeria’s democracy.
Consequently, the President directed the EFCC to immediately approach the court to vacate the freezing order and discontinue the action against the Osun State Government.
The development follows an ongoing disagreement between the Osun State Government and the EFCC over the freezing of the state’s accounts. The state government has denied allegations of misappropriating ₦11 billion and accused the anti-graft agency of attempting to justify its actions. The EFCC, however, has maintained that its investigation is strictly based on its legal mandate and is not politically motivated.
The directive comes amid heightened political attention ahead of the Osun governorship election, with observers closely monitoring the actions of government institutions and their potential impact on the electoral process.
